What does one do in Taipei? Eat your heart out. Skip the expensive restaurants and head to the streets for local bites that won’t hurt your wallet. Here’s the best cheap eats in Taipei.
This post will be continuously updated throughout the next couple of weeks so check back for new eats.
Best Cheap Eats in Taipei
Table of Contents
Soup Dumplings (Xiaolongbao)
Was walking to the MRT Station when a guy was selling these on the side of the road. 8 for 50 NT (only $1.66!)
Custard with Butter Cream
Quick lunch near Guang Hua Market (the biggest electronics store in Taipei – six-story, indoor technological and electronics market) and came across this pastry stand selling these custard cakes. You can find these at every night market. 13 NT ($0.40 US) for one!
MRT Zhongxiao Xingsheng
Mango Soft Serve
With real mangos, no artificial flavoring! Conveniently only 30 NT ($1 US) at Family Mart (similar to 7 Eleven and Hi-Life), there’s nearly one of these on every corner in Taipei.
Family Mart
Multiple locations
Doughnuts
Fried carbs galore. This doughnut stand has been at Shilin Night Market for decades and it’s tradition to always get a fresh, piping hot doughnut dusted with sugar. 15 NT ($0.50 US)
Shilin Market
JianTan MRT
Taiwanese Shaved Ice
Crushed ice with red beans, boba, and jelly. 50 NT ($1.66 US)
Shilin Night Market
JianTan MRT
Fried Stinky Tofu
Fried stinky goodness. I can recognize this smell from faraway but once you start eating the stinky tofu, it doesn’t smell that bad. Love the crispiness and chewiness of the tofu. Pile on the chilies and pickled veggies!
Shilin Night Market
JianTan MRT
Hainanese Chicken Rice 海南雞飯
The second thing on my to-eat list in Taiwan. Can’t believe both meals together were only 200 NT ($6 US)!
Ching Cheng Hoinan Chicken Rice 慶城街海南雞
Nanjing East Station MRT
Fried Oil Stick 油條 & Soy Milk
Traditional Taiwanese breakfast street food. 68 NT (~$2 US)
Milk Teas & Fruit Teas
So many drink choices in Taiwan – passion fruit tea, milk tea & Hawaiian fruit tea. Around 30-35 NT (~$1 US).
Cueicha 萃茶風
Multiple locations
Mango Snow Ice
Seriously the best mango shaved snow in Taipei – mango milk shaved snow & mango ice cream with fresh mangos, strawberries & kiwi. Only fresh fruit, no artificial is used so the smell was intoxicating. 160 NT (~$5 US)
Smoothie House 思慕昔官網
No. 9 Yong Kang St.
台北市大安區永康街9號
(02) 2395-8770
DongMen MRT
Tieguanyin Snow Ice
I went back the next day to Smoothie House to get their Tieguanyin 鐵觀音 Snow Ice. I’m clearly obsessed. I almost prefer the Tieguanyin over the Mango Snow Ice but they’re very different, one is a tea and one is fruity. The Tieguanyin Snow Ice comes with boba and Tieguanyin jelly. 120 NT (~$4 US)
Smoothie House 思慕昔官網
No. 9 Yong Kang St.
台北市大安區永康街9號
(02) 2395-8770
DongMen MRT
Almond Snow Ice
Mountain of almond snow ice with almond tofu & boba. Loved the lightness of the snow and silky smooth almond tofu! 85 NT (~$3 US).
Yu’s Almond Tofu Taiwan 于記杏仁豆腐
No. 101, Héngyáng Rd, Zhongzheng District
Ximending MTR Exit 4
